Zen Canine

10/29/2024

This...well said! -Said every dog

Happy Tuesday to everyone except trainers who prioritize their impatience over the dog's emotional experience as a business model.

09/02/2024

08/26/2024

08/26/2024

Good read to save for later

Recognizing your dog’s stressed body language is important because lowering your dog's stress level is key to maintaining their health.

08/16/2024

“Z” looking handsome after his spa visit

08/15/2024

😘 Here's our top tip this Thursday! 😘

If you ever find yourself at your wits end because your dog won't listen...

Here's what you can do:

Begin with teaching sit...I know, I know...how is that going to help. Well, it really isn't about the sit. 🤪

Dogs are impulsive by nature and many lack emotional regulation. By holding back reinforcers--things the dog finds rewarding, such food, pets, verbal praise, toys, until the dog calms down as indicated by the sit, the dog learns to self regulate.

We tend to work this exercise in multiple scenarios around our home:
🐾 At meal times
🐾 When we first arrive home, before we interact with the dog
🐾 Before going outside or coming inside

Try it, and let us know in the comments how it goes for you. 👇

08/12/2024

Puppies have been born 🐶💕Pals Pups

08/11/2024

It is a new day and the weather is amazing!...Give your 4 legged companion some lovin' today, and share photos of your happy K9 with us in the comments!

08/10/2024

🙌 If you really want to the barking to stop, here's my one hot tip. 🙌

Teach a Recall

Save your best treats for recall training. Anything your dog goes absolutely crazy for, like chicken, cheese or ham. Your dog will be far more likely to disengage from the "barking trigger," if you have been working recalls with a high value food reward.

When one of our clients, Kevin and his dog Shadow came to us, they were struggling with Shadow barking at people and dogs as they walked pass the window. One of the skills we worked on was recall training with high value food and now every time Shadow sees someone walk by the house, he immediately runs to Kevin. 💖

Moral of the story, we can teach our dogs environmental cues to perform behaviors that are incompatible with an undesirable behavior to teach desirable behaviors.

What things outside the window does your dog bark at as they pass by? Let us know in the comments. 🤔

08/09/2024

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT-NEW FREE SERVICE! 📣

Who would like to join a Live Coaching Zoom call and get practical, everyday strategies for your canine companion. We have sessions geared towards both puppies and rescue dogs.

Rescue Zen Fundamentals-Reframing
Puppy Zen Basics

Here's what our Live Coaching Sessions will do for you and your dog:

🐾 Give strategies for addressing addressing problem behaviors such as, jumping, counter surfing, potty training, and nipping.
🐾 Learn 3-5 training exercises to help your pup learn skills every Zen K9 should know.
🐾 End the call with renewed hope for you and your K9.

These are 40 minute Zoom calls with a 20-30 minute Q/A that follows.

Limited spots per call.

👉 Reserve your spot today by registering at

https://calendly.com/zencanine

07/31/2024

Chris is the perfect dog and everyone’s friend, but his favorite place is always by my side! Shh..he thinks he is a 10 lb lap dog❤️

07/28/2024

River's weekend was filled with splashing good times!

07/26/2024

River says it's time to unwind and wag. Share a photo of your furry kiddo waiting for you to the weekend! Happy Friday, everyone!

03/07/2024

🐾NEW SERVICE: Obedience Class with Happy Visits Add Ons🐾

This class is for dogs of all ages including those with dog and people excitement. Dog with fear or extreme nervousness are encouraged to first seek private training with Zen Canine before joining a group class.

Class dates are: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
Class Duration: 50 minutes/date
Class Location: Iowa Veterinary Wellness Center; 3836 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
Cost: $175
Class Goals:
This class will work on the following skills:
1. Engagement with handler around people and dogs
2. Sit, down, and go to place on cue
3. Sit, down, got to place with stay
4. Walking calmly through doorways
5. Loose leash walking
6. Go to place applied to the scale
7. Load onto objects and maintain position

Dogs do NOT join for the first session on April 13. Dogs do join for the remaining sessions 4/20 - 5/18.

To register, please email [email protected]

02/28/2024

Excited to announce our new online scheduling option directly on our website and not through a third party vendor!

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02/27/2024

🥰 Every year I make a commitment to do something a little different with my dog. 🥰

It’s usually something fun we can do together, and this year is no different.

This year I am going to teach River a new trick each week and work toward AKC Trick Titles ✨🐶

If you’re not familiar with it, the AKC has Trick Dog tiles anyone may earn with his/her dog. It is a fun way to connect with your dog while providing mental stimulation. It is also really easy training wins for kids!

I have been wanting to do more training with River but just haven’t. This is a great opportunity for her and I to connect while also getting the kids involved 🙌

Are you committing to doing anything new with your dog this year?

Let us know in the comments below. 👇

02/26/2024

💕 We all love our dogs, but sometimes we don't talk about the challenges of having a furry family member. 💕

So answer me this: What do you find most difficult about being a dog owner?

Is it:
👉 The embarrassment you feel when you're out on a walk and your dog's acting up?
👉 The unknown of what to do when guests arrive and your dog wants to greet them by jumping up on them?
👉 The frustration of teaching your kids and dog how to appropriately interact with each other?
👉 The anxiety you have when taking your dog to the vet/groomer and being scared how they will act towards them?
👉 Or something else?

Let me know your biggest struggle in the comments below and I'll do my best to help you. 💖

02/26/2024

PUPPY ALERT! 🐶We have had the privilege of working with multiple puppies from Pals Pups Labradoodles, and they have been amazing!

Two of these three cuties are still available. ❤️They will be 8 weeks and ready to go March 23rd. First round of shots, dewormed regularly, dew claws removed, and vet checkup. They come with a collar, leash, bag of food, and scent cloth. F1 Labradoodles. Estimated adult weight 65-80lbs. Weekly photos are updated on their website!iowalabradoodles.com

02/22/2024

In July, we adopted Zion “Z.” Initially, it was bliss and all my “training recommendations” were working perfectly. I thought he was perfect. ❤️🐾

As the months went by, we learned he wasn’t a German Shepherd mix. He was a mix of multiple cattle dog breeds. He developed “barrier reactivity” and “stranger danger.” River and Chris were annoyed by him. We began to question the addition😢🤦‍♀️

We held to our training strategies and modified our routines to better give “Z” the outlets he needed. We continue to work on his response to people and dogs. The whole neighborhood can hear him when he see a dog or person. 😬👂🐶

8 months later, “Z” almost a year old, he is settling in and is the most delightful dog again who I absolutely love🐶❤️😘🐾

If you are at your wits end with your new addition, DM us today to learn what we can do to help you! You can have a good family dog too😉

02/20/2024

😻 Today is National Love Your Pet Day! 😻

With Valentine’s Day been and gone, this is an extra special time dedicated to showing appreciation for our furry friends.

So go on, spoil them with an extra tasty meal, give them more play time and attention with you, and lavish them with their favourite treats.

We all know every day is a moment to be cherished with our pets, but there’s no holding back today!

We hope you and your pets enjoy every moment! 💖

02/15/2024

02/10/2024

Meal times are frequenty an opportunity for training. As an adolescent cattle dog, Z will frequently find opportunities for undesirable behaviors while we are eating. One way to teach him good choices is to have him tethered to me as i sit at the table, and he can enjoy a pupsicles. Contact us today for help with impulse behavior in the kitchen/dinnkng room!